As a mother myself, I know how stressful it can be as an expecting Mama. The daily stress, hormones, being uncomfortable, and constant cravings followed by nausea. This can be a huge undertaking, and I totally understand how thinking about getting Newborn pictures can feel incredibly overwhelming sometimes. As a professional Newborn Photographer based in Burnsville, Minnesota, I have dedicated much of my time in taking out all the stress for my expecting Mama's who bring their babies to me. This is such a special time in your life. Your body is undergoing incredible changes as it creates a new, beautiful, and absolutely perfect little baby into the world. When you bring your little one to me, your only job is to sit back and relax, and embrace every moment with your family.
Some things you might be wondering...
How do I know when to book my session? What if my baby comes early or late? What do I need to bring to my session? What if my baby won't cooperate? Will we have enough time during our session? I've never had pictures done before, how do I pose myself?
These are just some of the worries Mama's have about their sessions, and I want you to know that this is perfectly normal. I am here to show you how I provide a stress-free, hassle-free Newborn Session for you and your family.
Firstly, my Newborn Sessions are all inclusive. You do not need to worry about bringing anything for the photoshoot. I provide a wide variety of wraps, outfits, props and backdrops for your baby to create those breathtaking pictures you see on my website, Facebook, and Instagram. You are more than welcome to bring a special stuffy or item to include in some of your pictures, but other than those special items, I provide everything else needed for these adorable images.
Another concern that many of my Mama's have, is the timing of their session. I know that it can be a little stressful to book your session based off your due date, but trust me, it always works out. I only accept a certain amount of Newborn Sessions every month to accommodate the potential need for a reschedule. I'd say 99.9% of my clients do not have their babies on their exact due date, but that is why I schedule your session in a given window of time. The sweet spot for Newborn pictures is 1-2 weeks after birth. This timeframe already allows a 1 week flexibility! And if your session happens to fall outside this range (ex: your baby comes early or late), I can always adjust the date of your session for you. We will stay in close communication as your due date approaches. Once your baby has arrived, send me a quick message and we will determine whether to keep your currently scheduled date, or find a new date that works for you. No matter what, you can feel at ease knowing that you will 100% get in for your Newborn Pictures when you book with me.
Some Mama's, especially first time Mama's, worry about whether or not their baby will cooperate during their session. This is a big concern, and for good reason! You are investing in these pictures, and it is understandable to feel this way. Thankfully, I have many ways to get your baby to cooperate during your session. The key is keeping them nice and warm, comfortable, well fed, and listening to their cues. When you book your session with me, I send detailed instructions that prepare you and your baby on session day so things go smoothly. It is perfectly normal that your baby fusses a little during the session. We are asking a lot of them! Check out this blog post to find out some more details on how I overcome challenges during your Newborn Session. Babies react differently to different people. While your baby might be more fussy at home, where Mom and Dad are, they might not be so much in studio. Those babies are very smart from day one, and they will fuss more for Mom and Dad because you are their comfort system. That is good! But on session day, it is best to let me take over and do what I do best for you. I have soothed lots of fussy babies gently to sleep. So even if you think your baby might not cooperate, trust me when I tell you that I can get those sweet pictures for you.
Most people want super cute family pictures with their Newborn and other children. It can be a little intimidating still to go in and have them done, especially if you have never had professional pictures taken before. The best part of this experience, is that you do not need to know what to do! I will instruct you on everything I need from you, as we do it. I will direct you on how to pose, fix your hair and body placements, and optimize everything for you so that all you have to do is give me those big, beautiful smiles.
Some of my parents with other children have expressed some concern in getting their other kiddos to cooperate during their session, but this too I have many techniques to overcome and get them super engaged! I have my B.S. degree in Psychology and love working with children. I have even worked with kiddos with special needs and gotten them to smile AND hold their new baby sibling, all while looking right into the camera. Kiddos can be challenging, but I have many ways to persuade them into joining in on the fun. Check out this blog post to see some of the techniques I use. Sibling pictures with the new baby are absolutely precious, and something I can't wait to capture for you.
One of the last big concerns parents have is having enough time to soothe their baby and get their pictures done. My Platinum Newborn Sessions last 2-3 hours depending on how well baby does during their session (hint: the instructions I send help this go smoother). I blocked out 3 hours for this session to allow plenty of time for feedings, diaper changes, and time to get your baby softly to sleep. In the very rare, and very unlikely event that your baby won't stay asleep and cooperate, we will find a solution to still get your pictures done. You do not need to worry about your time in studio. As long as you follow the simple instructions, things should go very smoothly.
I hope this post helps ease your worries when it comes to booking your Newborn Photography Session. This truly is one of the most amazing experiences, and I love sharing these special moments with my clients. If you have any more questions or concerns that I did not address here, feel free to contact me and I would love to chat with you.
I'll see you in the studio!
Chelsie Belcourt
Newborn & Maternity Photographer
Elsiebel Photography
Burnsville, Minnesota
612.978.4900
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